Travel tripod

ABSTRACT

A tripod suitable for travel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/125,564, filed Dec. 17, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/951,326 filed Dec. 20, 2019.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable support apparatus forequipment, such as a tripod. For convenience, the term “tripod” is usedas a generic identifier for a more broad class of equipment supports,which may have any number of legs, e.g., a support with one, two, three,four or more legs.

Tripods have been used for many years. Typically, tripods include anelevated mounting surface, upon which equipment may be secured, such asa camera, telescope, musical equipment, surveying equipment, antenna,etc. The elevated mounting surface is supported by a plurality of legs,which in the case of a tripod is typically three. Other numbers of legsmay likewise be used, such as a single leg monopod.

Tripods are designed to provide some optimal balance between a set offeatures. For example, one feature of a tripod is stability, as it isoften desirable to insure that shaking or other movement of equipmentsupported by the tripod is minimized so that, for example, blur does notoccur in an image taken by a camera supported on the tripod. Tripods areoften used portably, hence, it is often desired to minimize the weightand/or dimensions of the tripod so that it may be carried over greatdistances. Also, it is often desirable to include a locking mechanismbetween different segments of the legs that are efficient to operatewhile being suitable for use in hostile environments, such as sandyenvironments and ocean environments.

Many existing tripods are vertically collapsible with radiallyextendible legs. For example, a tripod may have three leg assemblies,with each leg assembly pivotally connected to the elevated equipmentsupport so that each leg may be pivoted outwards when in use, andinwards when not in use. Also, each leg assembly may have multipleelements that selectively slide axially relative to each other. Forexample, a multi-stage tripod may have first, second, and third segmentsfor each leg. To adjust the height of the tripod, the first and secondleg segments are slidably movable relative to each other and the secondand third leg segments are also slidably movable relative to each other.Each pair of legs may be selectively locked and unlocked at differentpositions. Tripods also may include an adjustable central column tochange the height at which equipment is supported by the tripod at afixed extension of the tripod legs. Further, the tripod legs typicallyinclude locking detents so that each of the tripod legs may bepositioned at one of a plurality of fixed angular orientations. Thetelescopic tube structure may comprise an outer tube, an inner tubeelastically sleeved by the outer tube, and a locking structure forlocking two adjacent connection tubes into an integral piece.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of theinvention will be more readily understood upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary tripod.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tripod leg with multiple sections for the tripod.

FIG. 3 illustrates a foot assembly for the tripod.

FIG. 4 illustrates a center column for the tripod.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the center column for the tripod.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the center column and three tripod legsfor the tripod.

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of an apex for the tripod.

FIG. 8 illustrates a plastic sleeve for the apex.

FIG. 9 illustrates the apex with two plastic sleeves attached thereto.

FIG. 10 illustrates the apex with three plastic sleeves attachedthereto.

FIG. 11 illustrates the apex and the center column.

FIG. 12 illustrates the apex defining an opening for a locking assembly.

FIG. 13 illustrates the apex and the locking assembly.

FIG. 14 illustrates a plunger assembly for the locking assembly.

FIG. 15 illustrates an apex assembly for the tripod.

FIG. 16 illustrates an axle assembly for the apex assembly.

FIG. 17 illustrates a leg coupler of the apex assembly.

FIG. 18 illustrates a pull tab of the apex assembly.

FIG. 19 illustrates the leg coupler together with a magnet of the apexassembly.

FIG. 20 illustrates the pull table together with a magnet of the apexassembly.

FIG. 21 illustrates the leg coupler and pull tab together withrespective magnets of the apex assembly.

FIG. 22 illustrates the leg coupler and the pull tab.

FIG. 23 illustrates the center column with a lower section, an uppersection, and a hook.

FIG. 24 illustrates the hook.

FIG. 25 illustrates a center column attachment rod and the hook.

FIG. 26 illustrates the lower section of the center column.

FIG. 27 illustrates the upper section of the center column.

FIG. 28 illustrates the apex with a safety pull knob.

FIG. 29 illustrates the apex with a safety pull knob assembly.

FIG. 30 illustrates the apex and the safety pull knob assembly.

FIG. 31 illustrates a ball assembly and a clamp assembly.

FIG. 32 illustrates the ball assembly.

FIG. 33 illustrates a lower pan assembly of an equipment support.

FIG. 34 illustrates an upper view of the clamp assembly.

FIG. 35 illustrates a lower view of the clamp assembly.

FIG. 36 illustrates the ball assembly and clamp assembly in a retractedposition.

FIG. 37 illustrates another embodiment of a portion of a central portionof the central column.

FIG. 38 illustrates an end portion of the embodiment of FIG. 37 .

FIG. 39 illustrates another embodiment of a portion of a central portionof the central column showing a three-way split body.

FIG. 40 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the three-way split bodyof FIG. 39 .

FIG. 41 illustrates a bottom view of the center column in a lockedconfiguration.

FIG. 42 illustrates another embodiment with of a clamp including anintegrated hex screw.

FIG. 43 illustrates another embodiment of a plunger assembly.

FIG. 44 illustrates a large knob extension.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary tripod 10. Though features are discussed inreference to the depicted tripod, it should be understood that thefeatures may be implemented in an equipment support having any number oflegs (or leg). The tripod 10 may include a platform 12 for detachablysecuring equipment to the tripod 10 using a set screw or otherattachment mechanism. The tripod 10 may include a plurality of legs 14to support the platform 12 at an elevated position. The platform 12 maybe detachably mounted within an apex 18 of the tripod, which may be aring into which the platform 12 may be secured. Each of the legs 14 mayinclude a plurality of telescoping leg sections 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D,that nest together in a retracted position by releasing an appropriatelocking mechanism 16. The platform 12 may be supported by avertically-extensible column movably (e.g., slidably) engaged with theapex 18. The platform 12 may include a spirit level. Each of the legs 14preferably pivots about a respective axis proximate the apex 18. Througha selective choice of respective angles between each of the legs 14 andthe apex 18, along with a desired telescoped length of each respectiveleg, equipment attached to the tripod 10 may be supported on a widevariety of terrain.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary tripod leg with four leg sections 100A,100B, 100C, 100D that nest together with one another. Each of the fourleg sections 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D are preferably centrally axiallyaligned with one another. The end of leg section 100A may include a foot102, having any suitable structure, such as a crenated foot, a spike, ora rounded end. The four leg sections 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D areadjustably slidably secured together by a set of locking mechanisms 104.By rotation of the respective locking mechanism 104 in a firstdirection, the leg sections 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D may be readily slidwith respect to one another. By rotation of the locking mechanism 104 ina second direction, opposite the first direction, the leg sections 100A,100B, 100C, 100D are selectively inhibited from being readily slid withrespect to one another. The end of leg section 100D may include anassembly that is movably attached to an apex assembly, described later.Other locking mechanisms may likewise be used, if desired.

Referring to FIG. 3 , an exemplary foot 102 may include a bowl foot 110.The bowl foot 110 preferably has a bowl shaped exterior surface, but mayinclude any other type of shape, such as a spike or a ring. The foot 102may include a tee nut with 4 prongs 112, which may be detachably engagedwith the bowl foot 110. The tee nut 112 may be detachably engaged with atripod foot receiver 114 using a set screw 116, which may be threadablyengaged with threads in the foot 102 using the set screw 116, passingthrough the tee nut 112. The leg segment 100A may be engaged with atripod foot receiver 114 with the lower portion thereof of the legsegment 100A in face-to-face engagement with the external surface of thetripod foot receiver 114. It is noted that the foot 102 together withthe leg segment 100A forms a structure that is preferably completelysealed which prohibits fluids to enter or to exit the lower portion ofthe tripod leg.

A tripod often includes a hollow cylindrical center column that may beselectively raised and lowered in some manner to correspondingly raiseand lower an imaging device (or other device) supported thereon, andsecured at a desired elevation. The hollow cylindrical center columntends to include relatively thick wall together with a relatively largediameter to support a desired weight of the imaging device. A relativelythick wall for the cylindrical center column tends to result inincreased weight and expense of the tripod. A relatively large diameterfor the cylindrical center column requires a correspondingly large apexresulting in increased weight, increased overall size, and increasedexpense of the tripod.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , a center column 130 for the tripod mayinclude one or more concave faces 132. The concave faces 132 for thecenter column 130 facilitate the use of a relatively thin wall for thecenter column 130, together with a relatively small diameter (e.g.,defined by a circle around the periphery of the center column) for thecenter column 130, while being suitable to support a desired weight ofan imaging device, which decreases the overall weight of the centercolumn 130. Moreover, the center column 130 having one or more concavefaces 132 facilitates a stiffer center column 130 for a given diameter.Also, a relatively small diameter for the center column having one ormore concave faces requires a correspondingly smaller apex resulting indecreased weight, decreased overall size, and decreased expense of thetripod.

Referring also to FIG. 6 , preferably, the center column 130 includes atri-lobe 134 cross-section. The arch of each of the concave faces 132are preferably arranged and sized to be substantially concentric withthe external surface of the upper leg sections 100D. Also, the arch ofeach of the concave faces 132 may be arranged and sized to benon-substantially concentric with the external surface of the upper legsections 100D. Also, one or more of the leg sections may have othercross-sectional shapes, such as triangular, octagonal, or ellipsoidal.

Referring to FIG. 7 , an apex 200 is configured to detachably secure thecenter column 130 and the legs to one another. The apex 200 may define aplurality of curved recesses 210 suitable to detachably engagerespective ones of a plurality of resilient plastic sleeves 230 (seeFIG. 8 ). The sleeves may include any suitable shape and be constructedof any suitable material, as desired. The sleeves may be omitted, ifdesired. Each of the curved recesses 210 define a respective upper lip212 suitable to engage a respective upper lip 232 of the plastic sleeve230. The curved recesses 210 define a respective opening 214 suitable toengage a respective protrusion 234 of the plastic sleeve 230. Referringto FIG. 9 , each of the plastic sleeves 230 may be engaged with theinterior of the apex 200, and thereby be maintained from freely movingin a vertical direction by a combination of the upper lip 232/upper lip212 and the protrusion 234/opening 214. When the plastic sleeves 230 areengaged with the apex 200, the resulting interior surfaces arepreferably substantially coplanar with one another. In anotherembodiment, the retention technique for the plastic sleeves 230 mayinclude a rib on the respective sleeve with a respective hole definedtherein. A respective pin is pressed through corresponding holes on theapex to securely hold the respective sleeves.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the arrangement of the plastic sleeves 230 aroundthe apex 200 is located consistent with that of the lobes 134. Also, theapex 200 may define a set of one or more flanges 241 with curved archesthat are substantially matching the convex surfaces of the center column130. The curved arches assist in maintaining the rotational alignment ofthe center column 130 and inhibit debris from entering the apex whichwould inhibit the movement and selective restraining of the centercolumn 130. In addition, the curved arches of the flanges 241 are alsowhere the safety stop lobes contact with the apex when engaged(described in more detail below).

Referring also to FIG. 11 , the center column 130 may be engaged withthe apex 200 in such a manner that the lobes 134 are in close proximityto the plastic sleeves 130. The apex 200 may include an apex lockingmechanism 250 (see FIG. 13 ) that selectively inhibits movement of thecenter column 130 with respect to the apex. The plastic sleeves 230provide an interface with reduced friction between the center column 130and the apex 200, in such a manner that the center column mayselectively substantially freely move in an upward and a downwarddirection and selectively be substantially inhibited from freely movingin the upward and the downward direction.

Referring also to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 , the apex 200 maydefine an opening 240 therein that operates in cooperation with the apexlocking mechanism 250. The apex locking mechanism 250 may include alever 252 and a dowel pin 254 that extends through an opening defined bythe lever 252 and extends at least partially through a pair of openings218 defined by the apex 200. A pair of O-rings 256 may extend over therespective ends of the dowel pin 254 and restrain the dowel pin 254within the openings 218 as well as provide a dampened feel to the leverrotation while holding the lever in place so that it doesn't fall underits own weight. The lever 252 rotatably rotates up and down around thedowel pin 254. The lever 252 may include non-circular cross-sectionalshape with a protruding portion 258.

Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 , a plunger assembly 260may include a center column caliper 262, a column set screw 264, and alever wear plate 266. Referring to FIG. 43 , in another embodiment, acam shaped lever may be used to push on a stack (one or more) of wearplates used in combination with a pair of Belleville disc springs (oneor more) together with a caliper to provide for additional compliance.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 43 , the springs allow for some variancein column size, maintains a relatively consistent locking force on thecolumn, and may be timed to the desired locking force by rotating aninternal set screw which is accessed below the apex when the column isremoved. Referring again to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 , the leverwear plate 266 may be maintained in position on the apex 200 by theshape of an opening 242 defined around an upper portion of the opening240. The lever wear plate may include other shapes, such as circular.The length of the plunger assembly 260 may be modified by rotation ofthe column set screw 264. The plunger assembly 260 is positioned withinthe opening 240 and maintained in position between the lever 252 and therespective plastic sleeve 230. With the lever 252 in an upward position,the lever 252 exerts limited, if any, pressure on the lever wear plate266 which in turns exerts limited, if any, pressure on the plasticsleeve 230. With the lever 252 in a downward position, the lever 252exerts substantial pressure on the lever wear plate 266 which in turnsexerts substantial pressure on the plastic sleeve 230. With the centercolumn 130 engaged with the apex 200, the movement of the lever 252selectively inhibits movement of the center column 130 by selectivelyexerting pressure on the plastic sleeve 230. As it may be observed, thecenter column 130 may be locked in position using a single apex lockingmechanism 250. Further, the single apex locking mechanism 250 with atri-lobe arrangement provides substantial stability when locked. Thelocking mechanism may be achieved using other arrangements, as desired.The plastic sleeve(s) may be omitted, if desired.

Referring to FIG. 15 , an apex assembly may include a set of one or morelegs rotatably interconnected to the apex 200. The end portion of eachof the leg segments 100D may be secured within an end portion of arespective leg coupler 300. Referring also to FIG. 16 , the respectiveleg coupler 300 may be rotatably secured to the apex 200 by an axleassembly 310. The axle assembly 310 may include a cylindrical yoke axle312, a screw 314, a screw 316 rotatably interconnected to the screw 314,and a pair of washers 318. The axle assembly 310 limits the movement ofthe respective leg along a single arc.

Referring also to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 , the apex assembly may include arespective pull tab 330 that is engaged with the respective leg coupler300. The pull tab 330 may include one or more protrusions 332 thatmatingly engage with one or more openings 334 defined by the leg coupler300. The protrusions 332 and openings 334 define a limited range ofmovement of the pull tab 330 with respect to the leg coupler 300, wherethe limited range of movement is substantially limited to a single axialdirection.

Referring to FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 , the apex assembly may include therespective pull tab 330 together with a respective magnet 352 that isengaged with the respective leg coupler 300 with a respective magnet350. The pull tab 330 that includes the magnet 352 is arranged toprovide an opposing magnetic field to the leg coupler 300 that includesthe magnet 350. Referring also to FIG. 21 , the magnets 350, 352 opposeone another and tend to inhibit movements of the magnets 350, 352 withrespect to one another to freely pass one another. The use of recessedmagnets 350, 352 reduces the space used for the pull tab 330 and tendsto increase reliability due to the use of non-moving parts.

Referring to FIG. 22 , the pull tab 330 preferably includes a pluralityof staggered surfaces 360, 362. The apex 200 includes a plurality ofstaggered teeth 370, 372, 374, 376 (see also FIG. 12 ). The spacingbetween the plurality of staggered surfaces 360, 362 is preferablyselected to match the spacing between the plurality of staggered teeth370, 372, 374, 376. The pull tab 330 may be pulled outwardly, therespective leg 100D is adjusted in its angle with respect to the apex200 to a desired angle, and the pull tab 330 is pushed inwardly.Thereafter, a plurality of the staggered teeth 370, 372, 374, 376simultaneously engage the staggered surfaces 360, 362, at one of fourdifferent positions. The number of staggered teeth may be selected, asdesired. The number of staggered surfaces may be selected as desired.The number of opposing surfaces being simultaneously engaged with may beselected, as desired. The use of two or more simultaneous opposingcontact surfaces for the engagement of the pull tab with the apexdistributes the torque load across a larger radial area, than using asingle pair of opposing contact surfaces, which reduces the amount oftravel necessary for the pull-tab and allows for a smaller angleinterval.

Referring to FIG. 23 , the central column 130 may include a bottom hook400 (see FIG. 24 ) that defines a hook portion 402. Referring to FIG. 25, the bottom hook 400 may be secured to a center column attachment rod404 by a set of lower threads 406. In another embodiment, the bottomhook may be secured to a center column attachment rod by a pin(described in more detail below). The upper portion of the center columnattachment rod 404 may include an O-ring 408 and a set of upper threads410. Referring also to FIG. 26 , the center column attachment rod 404may be maintained within a lower section 412 of the central column 130with the bottom hook 400 maintained within a recess defined by the lowersection 412. In another embodiment, bottom hook may be secured to thecenter column attachment rod by a pin with the recess omitted (describedin more detail below). The lower section 412 optionally includes aplurality of spaced apart upper pins 414. Referring to FIG. 27 , anupper section 416 of the center column 130 may optionally define acorresponding set of openings 418 matching that of the upper pins 414,and a threaded central opening 420. The upper threads 410 of the centercolumn attachment rod 404 are rotatably engaged with the threadedcentral opening 420 of the upper section 416, to securely secure thelower section 412 to the upper section 416. In another embodiment, theupper section may be secured to the lower section by a flexure insidethe upper section. The plurality of pins 414 maintain the lower section412 and the upper section 416 from rotating with respect to one another.In another embodiment, the flexure inside the upper section and thelower section maintain the sections from rotating with respect to oneanother. Also, the lower section 412 and the upper section 416 may bedetachably engaged from one another.

Referring again to FIG. 4 , the center column 130 may define arespective slit 380 on each lobe of the center column 130 proximate thelower end of the center column 130. The plastic sleeves 230 define arespective opening defined therein that is consistent with therespective slit 380. Referring to FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 , the apex 200 mayretain therein a safety pull knob 430, a safety pin 432 threadablysecured to the safety pull knob 430, and a safety spring 434 arrangedover the safety pin 432. Referring also to FIG. 30 , an end protrusion436 of the safety pin 432 is biased so that the end protrusion 436 is inpressing engagement with the plastic sleeve 230 and/or the center column130. As the center column 130 is raised, the end protrusion 436 will beautomatically engaged with a respective slit 380 in the center column130, thereby inhibiting further raising of the center column 130. Thisreduces the likelihood of raising the center column 130 to high and thecenter column 130, including any equipment supported thereon, frombecoming inadvertently detached from the apex 200. In addition, byretracting the safety pull knob 430, the end protrusion 436 isdisengaged with the respective slit 380 thereby permitting the centercolumn 130 to be further raised and detached from the apex 200. Further,the safety pull knob 430, the safety pin 432, and the safety spring 434likewise operates to inhibit the center column 130 from beinginadvertently being detached from the apex, when the center column 130is attached upside down, suspending the equipment from the apex 200 viathe column.

Referring to FIG. 37 , in another embodiment, a center piece of thecolumn may include a central shaft 1000 that extends through a sealmember 1002 having an exterior shape that substantially matches that ofthe interior of the central column. The seal member 1010 substantiallyinhibits debris and other materials from entering the central column.Also, it retains the rod within the lower column section when the lowercolumn section is not attached to the upper column section. The stepcreated by the necked down section on the rod is what the seal member1002 catches on to keep the rod retained. The central shaft 1000 alsoextends through an end member 1004 and includes an O-ring 1006 tosubstantially inhibit debris and other materials from entering thecentral column. The central shaft 1000 partially extends within a hook1010, which is secured in place with a pin 1008 through a hole 1012defined by the central shaft 1000. Referring also to FIG. 38 , thecentral assembly includes the hook 1010 which acts as a cam lever and atwistable knob. The hook 1010 is preferably initially rotated about thepin 1012 and second about the central shaft 1000. Referring also to FIG.39 , rotating the hook 1010 rotates the central shaft 1000, and threadsand unthreads the lower column section from the upper column section.The cam action of the hook 1010 permits the user to achieve an evenstiffer connection between the two column sections while still beingable to remove it without a tool. Referring also to FIG. 40 , as it maybe observed, the central shaft 1000 used to attach the lower columnsection threads into a three-way split body 1020 that has a similarprofile to the inner profile of the two column sections and it extendsacross their intersection plane. Due to the force of the central shaft1000 on the threads, the two column sections are aligned with oneanother by the three-way split body 1020. The three-way split body 1020,is proximate the location between the two column sections. The upperportion of the three-way split body 1020 is maintained in a fixedrotational position with respect to the upper column and a fixedpositional location. The lower portion of the three-way split body 1020is rotatable with respect to the upper column. The three-way split body1020 permits the two column sections to align with respect to oneanother, and with the tightening of the central shaft 1000, they aremaintained in a fixed relationship with respect to one another. Inaddition, the upper portion of the three-way split body 1020 which issubstantially similar to the interior shape of the lower column inhibitsrotation of the lower column with respect to the upper column. Also, thelower portion of the center column may be removed together with thecenter column, to reduce the weight. With the shortened configuration, aweight may be secured to the rotational portion of the three-way splitbody 1020.

Referring to FIG. 31 , an equipment support 500 may include a ballassembly 510 and a clamp assembly 520, if desired. Referring also toFIG. 32 , the ball assembly 510 may include a lower ball head retainer512 and an upper ball head retainer 514 that collectively retain arotatable ball 516 maintained therein. A lever lock assembly 518, byrotation thereof, may selectively cause the lower ball head retainer 512and the upper ball head retainer 514 to selectively inhibit therotatable ball 516 from moving therein. The rotatable ball 516 mayinclude a stem 522 and upper support 524 to support the clamp assembly520 thereon. The clamp assembly 520 is suitable to detachablyinterconnect with equipment, such as an imaging device. The ballassembly 510 is arranged to freely permit the ball of the ball assembly510 to (1) tilt, (2) yaw, and (3) roll.

Referring to FIG. 33 , the equipment support 500, may include a lowerpan assembly 530 that includes a pan base 532, a machine head 534, andan O-ring 536. The machine head 534 is retained by the upper section 416by a constricted portion (e.g., so the machine head is prevented frombeing removed from the upper section through the upper opening andaccordingly is removed through the lower opening of the upper section)and sufficiently tightened to the pan base 532 to hold the lower panassembly 530 in place while permitting rotation of the pan base 532. Thepan base 532 is secured to the lower ball head retainer 512. In anotherembodiment, machine head is “flipped”, where the head is on top and theretaining is performed by the pan base. In such a configuration, themachine head is not readily removable without the ball being removed. Insuch a configuration, the machine head is screwed into the flexure whichis then attached to the upper section of the column. In this manner, theequipment support 500 and any devices supported thereon, may be freelyrotated based upon a lower pan assembly 530 that is located, at leastpartially, below the plane of the bottom and/or the top of the rotatableball 516.

Referring to FIG. 34 and FIG. 35 , the clamp assembly 520 may include anupper pan assembly with a center plate 540 that is interconnected to arotatable member 542 to selectively inhibit the clamp assembly 520 fromfreely rotating with respect to the center plate 540. The rotatablemember 542 may use any suitable structure to selectively inhibitrotation. The clamp assembly 520 may include any suitable structure toprovide a panning rotation that may include selective locking frompanning rotation. In this manner, the equipment support 500 and anydevices supported thereon, may be freely rotated based upon the upperpan assembly that is located, at least partially, above the plane of thetop and/or bottom of the rotatable ball 516.

The tripod with integrated ball head includes the lower panning basesupported by the central column and an upper panning base supported bythe central column which are separated, at least in part, by the ball.In this manner, the tripod includes a combination of (1) a telescopingcolumn, (2) a pan base at least partially below a portion of the ball,(3) a pan base at least partially above a portion of the ball, (4) aball that tilts, (5) a ball that yaws, and (6) a ball that rolls.

Referring to FIG. 36 , the ball assembly 510 which is supported by thecentral column 130 may be at least partially retracted within the apex200. In this manner, at least a part of the ball is retracted below theupper surface of the apex 200. The nesting of the ball at leastpartially below the upper surface of the apex permits a compact andcollapsed size. Even when in the fully retracted position, the tripodincludes a combination of (1) a telescoping column, (2) a pan base atleast partially below a portion of the ball, (3) a pan base at leastpartially above a portion of the ball, (4) a ball that tilts, (5) a ballthat yaws, and (6) a ball that rolls.

In another embodiment, there may be multiple safety stop configurationsfor the center column employed with the single tripod assembly, such asone safety stop configuration for a longer column configuration andanother safety stop configuration for a shorter column configuration.Both safety stop configurations may act in a similar manner. Atriangular profile rotates into 6 indexed positions, 3 of which thesafety stop is engaged and 3 of which the safety stop is disengaged.When the safety stop is engaged the triangular profiles makes contactwith the tripod apex, stopping the column from being removed. When thesafety stop is disengaged the triangular profiles does not make contactwith the tripod apex, thereby not stopping the column from beingremoved. Both of these safety stops are set by the user and left in theengaged or disengaged position. Also, both of the safety stops operatein a standard or inverted orientation.

Referring again to FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 , the end member 1004 preferablyhas a triangular shape that when rotated into a first configuration itsexterior periphery come into alignment with the exterior periphery ofthe end portion of the lower column in such a manner that none of theend member 1004 extends beyond the exterior surface of the centercolumn, as illustrated in FIG. 41 . The end member 1004 is rotatableinto a second configuration where its exterior periphery is out ofalignment with the exterior periphery of the end portion of the lowercolumn in such a manner at least part of the end member 1004 extendsbeyond the exterior surface of the center column. It is noted that thehex shaped profile inside the column and the O-ring together form indexpoints by having spots of high and low O-ring compression. Referringagain to FIG. 10 , the apex 200 may define a set of one or more flanges241 with curved arches that are substantially matching the convexsurfaces of the center column 130. The end member 1004 is rotated in amanner in alignment with the center column 130 and engaged within theapex 200. Thereafter, if it is desirable to engage a safety stop of thecenter column from inadvertently becoming disengaged from the apex, theend member 1004 is rotated such that a portion of its surfaces extendbeyond the exterior surface of the center column. In such aconfiguration, the center column is prevented from becoming disengagedfrom the apex and otherwise removed until the end member is aligned withthe center column.

Referring again to FIG. 39 , for the short column configuration, thetriangular safety stop profile is attached to the three-way split body1020. The three-way split body 1020 rotational portion preferably has atriangular shape that when rotated into a first configuration itsexterior periphery come into alignment with the exterior periphery ofthe end portion of the upper column in such a manner that none of theend member 1004 extends beyond the exterior surface of the centercolumn. The three-way split body 1020 rotational portion is rotatableinto a second configuration where its exterior periphery is out ofalignment with the exterior periphery of the end portion of the uppercolumn in such a manner at least part of the three-way split body 1020rotational portion extends beyond the exterior surface of the centercolumn. Referring again to FIG. 10 , the apex 200 may define a set ofone or more flanges 241 with curved arches that are substantiallymatching the convex surfaces of the center column 130. The three-waysplit body 1020 rotational portion is rotated in a manner in alignmentwith the center column 130 and engaged within the apex 200. Thereafter,if it is desirable to engage a safety stop of the center column frominadvertently becoming disengaged from the apex, the three-way splitbody 1020 rotational portion is rotated such that a portion of itssurfaces extend beyond the exterior surface of the center column. Insuch a configuration, the center column is prevented from becomingdisengaged from the apex and otherwise removed until the three-way splitbody 1020 rotational portion is aligned with the center column. Therotational portion of the three-way split body 1020 may includedeformable interior portions so that it is indexed to its positions.

Referring to FIG. 42 , a smaller sized 5/32 hex key 1100 may be includedwithin an integrated storage location in the clamp. A magnet 1110 may beincluded to magnetically secure the hex key 1100 in place to inhibit itfrom becoming inadvertently detached.

Referring to FIG. 44 , a larger knob extension may be added to theexisting panning lock know. The larger knob tends to make it easier toadjust the pan lock up if the user is wearing gloves or has largefingers. The knob extension fits over the existing knob and secured inplace with a screw.

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoingspecification are used therein as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms andexpressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of theinvention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.

I/We claim:
 1. A support having an apex comprising: (a) at least oneelongate leg at least partially supporting said apex, where said atleast one elongate leg is movable with respect to said apex; (b) acenter column engaged with and selectively movable vertically withrespect to said apex; (c) said center column suitable for detachablysecuring equipment thereto; (d) said center column having at least oneconcave exterior face, where said concave exterior face defines asmoothly curved surface that curves inwardly.
 2. The support of claim 1further comprising at least three said elongate legs at least partiallysupporting said apex.
 3. The support of claim 2 wherein said centercolumn has at least three concave exterior faces, where each of saidthree concave exterior face defines a corresponding smoothly curvedsurface that curves inwardly.
 4. The support of claim 3 wherein each ofsaid at least three elongate legs and each of said at least threeconcave exterior faces are substantially concentric with respective onesof each other.
 5. The support of claim 4 wherein said center column hasan interior tri-lobe cross-section.
 6. The support of claim 1 furthercomprising said at least three said elongate legs are tubular.
 7. Asupport having an apex comprising: (a) at least one elongate leg atleast partially supporting said apex, where said at least one elongateleg is movable with respect to said apex; (b) a center column engagedwith and selectively movable vertically with respect to said apex, wheresaid center column defines an exterior surface periphery profile thatincludes a plurality of surfaces and a plurality of lobes; (c) saidcenter column suitable for detachably securing equipment thereto; (f) alever operated lock mechanism engaged with said apex to selectivelyinhibit said vertical movement of said center column by pressingengagement of said lever operated lock mechanism against one of saidplurality of lobes.